News roundup: Alaska Airlines cancels flights to Mexico amid unrest, the Seattle Mariners win a spring training game thanks to a young player, and Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba says he wants to become the highest-paid player at his position in the NFL.
Flight cancellations to Mexico amid civil unrest: Alaska Airlines responds
Amid growing reports of violence in various Mexican cities, Alaska Airlines decided to cancel a number of flights to the country. The situation, linked to civil unrest and criminal group activity, forced the carrier to suspend service to destinations popular with American tourists such as Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and Manzanillo. The decision followed a federal operation by Mexican authorities in which cartel leader Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera was killed, an event that apparently triggered a surge in tensions.
Seattle-based Alaska Airlines announced on Sunday that it had canceled 24 flights to Mexico, citing civil unrest near airports. In its statement, published on FOX 13 Seattle’s website, the company said it is working to rebook passengers onto other flights and is closely monitoring the situation. At the same time, the U.S. government issued a security alert for American citizens in several Mexican states, including Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero and Nuevo León, urging them to shelter in place. That advisory underscores the severity of the situation, which may be linked to cartel retaliation after the leader’s death or other forms of organized violence.
Cartels in Mexico are powerful and often brutal criminal syndicates involved in drug trafficking and other illegal activities. Their influence extends across many regions, and clashes with authorities or between groups can lead to outbreaks of violence, road closures and disruption of infrastructure, including airports. Those risks likely prompted Alaska Airlines to cancel flights to ensure passenger and crew safety. While the article does not specify how many cancellations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport were related to Mexico, the overall figures for Feb. 22 — 182 delays and 44 cancellations — suggest possible broader impacts on air service.
Key facts from the article include Alaska Airlines’ cancellation of 24 flights, the U.S. shelter-in-place advisory for five Mexican states, and the killing of a cartel leader, which appears to have triggered the unrest. The airline’s statement conveys the official position clearly: measures were taken because of the unrest and assistance is being provided to passengers. The implications are multifaceted: for travelers, disrupted plans and potential safety risks; for airlines, financial losses and logistical challenges; and for Mexican authorities, difficulties in combating organized crime and maintaining stability in key tourist areas. In the long term, such incidents could affect Mexico’s reputation as a travel destination and require enhanced cross-border coordination on security.
Young Mariner delivers key blow in win over Reds during spring training
Spring training is when coaches evaluate roster depth and young players get a chance to shine. Johnny Faramello, one of the Seattle Mariners’ promising prospects, took advantage of that opportunity — his RBI double in the ninth inning was the turning point in a 14–8 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The game at Goodyear Ballpark was a vivid example of why spring games, despite their unofficial status, can be exciting and revealing.
The game started well for the Mariners: in the first inning Randy Arozarena hit an RBI single to give the team the early lead. But in the second inning Seattle’s starting pitcher Randy Dobnak allowed five runs, giving the Reds the advantage. What followed was a real offensive battle, with teams trading blows and the score tied 8–8 by the start of the ninth. That’s when the Mariners staged the decisive rally, scoring six runs. The key moment was Faramello’s hit — after two strikeouts in previous at-bats he drove a double to left field for an RBI. That hit set the stage for the rout, which was capped by Brennan Davis’ three-run homer, a 388-foot blast with an exit velocity of 114 miles per hour. Mariners manager Dan Wilson, speaking to The Seattle Times, highlighted the club’s minor-league depth: “People talk about our depth in the minors, and here you see it firsthand. Just great at-bats, and for Faramello that was a nice moment — to be able to really drive the ball in that situation.”
Beyond the big offensive outburst, the game featured several aspects typical of modern spring training. First, it was a pitching-rotation showcase: the teams used 20 pitchers (9 for Seattle and 11 for Cincinnati), resulting in 29 hits and 22 runs. The Reds’ pitchers issued 10 walks, while the Mariners issued none. Wilson jokingly called it “the cactus league at its finest,” referring to the chaotic but entertaining nature of the game. Second, the matchup made active use of the ABS (Automatic Ball-Strike System), which allows umpires’ ball and strike calls to be challenged. Players and managers used the system nine times, and in six instances the system overturned home plate umpire Mike Machlinski’s call. Wilson noted it was Machlinski’s first experience with the system this season, and everyone is still getting used to the new rules, especially when determining the top of the strike zone. ABS is an experimental technology intended to improve umpiring accuracy, and testing it in spring games helps players and officials adapt to potential future changes.
Among the many pitchers who appeared, left-hander Jonathan Diaz stood out and was named the game’s “player of the game.” In a chaotic contest with frequent pitcher changes and baserunners, Diaz threw two flawless innings, allowing no Reds batter to reach base, and displayed a powerful fastball. His performance underscores the importance of pitching stability even in unofficial contests. For those following the numbers, note that Davis’ 114 mph exit velocity on his home run is an outstanding figure showing his power, and the Reds’ 10 walks point to control issues for their pitchers at this stage of spring training.
While this win doesn’t affect the regular season standings, it provides the Mariners with valuable insights. First, it confirms the depth of their young talent: players like Faramello and Davis have shown they can perform under pressure. Second, testing ABS helps the team prepare for its possible adoption. Third, management gets an opportunity to evaluate pitchers in game conditions, which is especially important for arms like Diaz. Seattle’s next bigger test will be against the reigning World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Logan Gilbert expected to start. The dramatic win over the Reds adds confidence and shows that even in spring training fans can see compelling baseball and future stars.
Dream contract: Jaxon Smith-Njigba wants to be the NFL’s highest-paid receiver
In the world of professional American football, where star contracts are measured in tens of millions, a new high-stakes financial debate is brewing. Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, fresh off an outstanding third NFL season, said he believes he deserves to be the highest-paid player at his position. The comment came in an interview with WFAA in Dallas and arrived amid expected contract extension talks, as his current deal expires after the upcoming season.
Despite his youth, Smith-Njigba has already made a major impact. Last season he didn’t just become a key part of the Seahawks’ offense — he dominated the league, setting club records for receiving yards (1,793) and receptions (119), and scoring 10 touchdowns. His playoff contributions — an additional 199 yards and two touchdowns — helped the team secure the franchise’s second Super Bowl title. Those achievements earned him the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year award and a spot on the NFL All-Pro team. With such weighty credentials, Smith-Njigba calmly but confidently states his financial goals. “I know my time will come, and when we get everything done, it’ll be a great deal. I believe I deserve to be the highest-paid at my position,” he said. He also emphasized his deep love for the game, adding that he would play for free, but that in modern sports it’s important to be a good businessman.
To understand the scale of his ambitions, look at the current market. According to Over The Cap, the highest average annual salary among receivers belongs to Ja'Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals — $40.25 million per year on a four-year, $161 million contract. He is followed by Justin Jefferson ($35M), CeeDee Lamb ($34M), DK Metcalf ($33M) and Garrett Wilson ($32.5M). Against that backdrop, Smith-Njigba’s base salary in the final year of his rookie contract — $2.7 million — looks modest. The gap is enormous, and the player clearly intends to close it. Fortunately for the Seahawks, the team has the financial flexibility to make such a move: per Over The Cap, the club has roughly $61.9 million in salary cap space, the sixth-most in the league. That creates a favorable environment for negotiations this offseason.
The team also has a backup option if an agreement isn’t reached soon: the fifth-year rookie contract option, which must be exercised by May 1. Activating it would keep Smith-Njigba in Seattle through the 2027 season, buying time for further talks. The Seahawks used a similar tactic last year with left tackle Charles Cross: they picked up the option and later signed a long-term extension. So both sides have motivation and tools to reach a deal. Smith-Njigba’s comments, detailed in a piece on Seattle Sports, are not only a declaration of his value but also an opening public move in the complex financial game that will determine the future of one of the team’s top stars and set a new benchmark on the NFL receiver market.
